Memory lane

Solicitors dealing with coal health claims have this week welcomed a review of the multi-billion pound compensation scheme – but fear they will be confused with the more disreputable of claims management companies and have urged the government not to make a knee-jerk reaction to current problems. The review will focus on how the government has administered the scheme and how it could better detect and prevent fraud.

26 July 1995

Murder rule

The Law Society’s criminal law committee has welcomed the home secretary’s decision to abolish the year and a day rule for murder. After the commons announcement last week, Michael Howard (pictured) said: ‘Those who cause death should be responsible for their actions.’

30 July 1975

Barrister’s diary

Squatting is the latest topic – and a worrying matter for metropolitans it is. Such an inelegant word, too – one has a mental picture of a frowsty uncombed young person of doubtful gender in the least attractive posture a human being can adopt. It is said that the police will act neither to turn such people out nor to prosecute them for theft or malicious damage.

July 1965

Magna Carta 1215

On the 750th anniversary of the actual day when Magna Carta was sealed, the Lord Chancellor, the Master of the Rolls, the President of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division and members of the Judiciary assembled in the Great Hall of the Law Courts to commemorate this historic event.

To the accompaniment of the trumpets of the Household Cavalry and the martial strains of the band of the Scots Guards, the various processions of civic dignitaries and distinguished lawyers slowly moved through the packed Hall to their seats on the dais.

August 1945

Notes of the month

For the defence of William Joyce, the maximum allowable for the defending solicitor’s charges will be £12.3.0 and the maximum for all counsel concerned in the defence will be £27.5.0, a total of £39.8.0.

In giving these figures to a meeting of the Howard League for Penal Reform, Mr Theobald Mathew, the director of public prosecutions, said: ‘I cannot believe that this is either adequate or that it makes for the good administration of justice.’ Mr Mathew made it clear that he was speaking in a personal capacity.

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